The rise of quantum computing could eventually lead to one of the biggest revelations in Bitcoin’s history - whether its mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, is still alive.
That’s according to Adam Back, a prominent cypherpunk and CEO of Blockstream, who was cited by Nakamoto in the original Bitcoin white paper.
Speaking at the “Satoshi Spritz” event in Turin on April 18, Back proposed a compelling future scenario: if quantum computers reach the capability to break Bitcoin’s current cryptographic protections, dormant wallets - including Satoshi’s estimated 1.1 million BTC - may need to be moved to quantum-resistant addresses. Doing so could potentially reveal whether Nakamoto is alive and in control of the private keys.
Back emphasized that today’s quantum computers are nowhere near powerful enough to compromise Bitcoin’s public key cryptography. But he noted that within the next two decades, technological progress could pose real risks to current signature schemes such as ECDSA and Schnorr, which secure Bitcoin wallets.
“When that day comes,” Back explained, “the Bitcoin network will face a critical decision: let old, vulnerable wallets be exploited or preemptively deprecate them to protect their contents.”
That decision could have far-reaching consequences. If the network opts not to freeze or migrate exposed funds, Satoshi - if alive - would be forced to move the dormant coins to preserve them. That act alone would signal to the world that Nakamoto is still out there.
Despite this hypothetical future, not everyone agrees that Satoshi’s identity - or their activity - would necessarily surface. An anonymous early Bitcoin miner told Cointelegraph that they doubt Nakamoto would ever move the funds, even in the face of quantum risk.
“Based on everything we know about Satoshi’s behavior, it would be more in line with their ethos to leave the decision to the community rather than act unilaterally,” they said, emphasizing the founder’s historically hands-off approach.
Back also spoke on the technical challenges of preparing Bitcoin for a quantum-secure future. While several quantum-resistant cryptographic schemes exist - such as Lamport signatures - they come with major trade-offs. Lamport keys, for instance, are large and data-heavy, often tens of kilobytes, which would burden the Bitcoin network.
He advocated for a cautious, modular approach: one possibility is to implement a Taproot-based mechanism that allows Bitcoin users to upgrade their address types to quantum-resistant signatures if and when the need arises. This could help Bitcoin evolve without unnecessary bloating or disruption.
Privacy may play a role too. According to Back, future advancements in privacy tech could allow quantum upgrades without exposing users’ movements - including Satoshi’s - to the public eye. “There are research efforts to improve privacy in Bitcoin,” he noted. “That could help solve quantum threats without sacrificing anonymity.”
The broader crypto industry is already exploring post-quantum security, especially as real-world quantum milestones inch closer. Blockchain protocols across the space are evaluating cryptographic primitives that resist quantum attacks, with some experimenting with hybrid models combining classical and post-quantum techniques.
Bitcoin, however, remains cautious by design. Its conservative development approach prioritizes security and long-term stability over rapid innovation - which makes any quantum-proof upgrade a complex but vital step.
As Back concluded, Bitcoin likely won’t adapt to quantum computing preemptively. But it will be ready when the time comes. Whether that future brings clarity on the fate of Satoshi Nakamoto remains one of Bitcoin’s most enduring mysteries.